This appears to be the oldest of 11 copies of Roud 1269 "Ground for the Floor" held by the Bodleian collection; they have dated it "between 1780 and 1812." Harding B 11(2066). However, besides the phrase "ground for the floor" and the theme of a person contented with modest rural life, it has almost nothing in common with the song sung by George Maynard.


GROUND FOR THE FLOOR

I lived in a wood for a number of years
With my dog and my gun drive away sorrow and care.
I've a neat little cottage and the roof is secure.
If you look underneath you'll find ground for the floor.

My cot is surrounded with brambles and thorns
And sweet are the notes of the birds in the morn.
I've a guinea in my pocket, and I've plenty more in store,
And a neat little cottage with ground for the floor.

As for grates, I've got none, for my fire's on the ground,
And for chairs I've got none to set myself down.
I've a three-legged stool that is chief of my store,
And a sweet little cottage with ground for the floor.

My bed's made of straw for my limbs to repose,
And for myself I've but one suit of clothes
That is made of good ticken and stitched up secure.
If you look underneath you'll find ground for the floor.

God bless my old father who is dead and gone.
I hope he is safe in heaven never more to return.
He left me all his riches which were heaped up in store,
And [a] neat little cottage with ground for the floor.